Any 39 week pregnant mums? COUNTDOWN

[NewMamaToBee]

Hey all!!

Im 39 + 4 tomorrow and eagerly anticipating the arrival of my first DC.

Super excited and beginning to feel slightly worn out now as pregnancy insomnia has kicked in.

So far I’ve had inconsistent contractions, loose bowels, cramping in pelvic area.. but no mucus plug or bloody show :(

I was sure that baby would have arrived by now, but looks like it’s way too comfortable!

How is your final week(s) going?!

41+5 is standard for our area/Trust.

I was induced at 41+5 with my first but they / I still wasn't ready so needed everything, which is why I'm not keen to repeat the experience.

(2 pessaries, waters breaking, epidural to cope with the pain, drip and still ended up with episiotomy and forceps in theatre). Had hoped for a water birth but water wasn't touching it with the pessary even.

But at the end of the day, she was born safely. Small graze to the head and looking completely beaten up bless her but safe.

@colourPink for my hosp in SW London and at Chelsea & Westminster, they just said they want you in labour by 42 weeks, but the one where most of my NCT class have gone do them routinely at 41 weeks. Think it just depends!

@log51 interesting! It's only recently changed where I am as many of my fiends has to wait until 41+5.

Tbh, I'm happy it's more around 41 as I don't know how much longer I can do this. I feel so deflated and desperate I think I'd agree to one today if they'd let me 😂

After 1 induction I really don't want another. I feel like it was just forcing my body / baby before they were ready.

Though I feel ready and this one isn't interested either 😅😥.

Even leaving it longer I still think I'll end up being induced again. Hopefully they prove me wrong though!

Is this your first @colourPink ? Apologies if that's in the thread already somewhere, my memory is rubbish!

@Cakeorchocolate it is my first! I don't think I previously said.

A few of my friends had inductions and I haven't heard many (if any) positive stories surrounding induced births so hoping things will happen naturally before that 😬

So everyone in a crazy turn of events we had a little girl this morning!
it was so fast I just about made it to the hospital.
I called them at 9am and made it here for 9:50 and had baby at 10:10!
can’t believe it finally happened. Most beautiful birthing experience too although very fast.

@Pinklilly massive congratulations! Wow that is speedy! What time did your contractions start?

@Pinklilly wow! That's incredible and very fast. Amazing news and congrats to you all xx

@Pinklilly also how much did she weigh? I'm starting to get nervous the more I go over the more of a chunk he'll be 🙊

@log51 so at 6:30am I thought I peed myself a little as my knickers were a bit wet. Then at about 7:30 I had what I now know was a contraction but it just felt like pressure in my bum! I went to try and do a number 2.
I still didn’t think anything was happening even though I was having mild pains then at 9am we saw a little blood so I thought this is something! Hospital said sounds like it was your waters and advised me to come in by that point I was having contractions every 5 mins. So all in all 7:30 to 10:10 and she was born! Barely used the gas and air. And was in the pool for all of 15 mins hahaha!
@colourPink thank you! She was 7lbs exact but we are Indian so our babies tend to weigh around the 6-8lb mark. My 36 week scan had predicted the weight at 7lbs so it was right.

@Pinklilly sounds like it all happened so fast! Hope you're enjoying your new born bubble ❤️

It seems my September baby will now be an October baby. How did that happen?! 🙊

@Pinklilly congratulations, what an amazing birth story ❤️

All the best for others still waiting. It is so hard and once I was past 41 weeks I really mentally struggled with both babies. But it's clearly just how my body bakes them🤰😊. As annoying as clichés are, they come when they and your body are ready.

Even if you go down the induction route, it is likely to be more successful and a better experience if you're body is getting ready and you have a good Bishops score, so my unsolicited advice would be not to rush induction if there is no medical reason and your cervix is completely unfavorable.

I recall some stats saying that in the UK the median is 40+5, so most go well over 40 weeks and some a bit more.

Thinking of you all.

Congratulations @Pinklilly . So pleased you had such a positive, though very quick, experience.

@colourPink I only ask if it's your first because it's lovely when those of you expecting are so looking forward to having your little ones.
Mine is my second so as much as I'm looking forward to meeting him and the newborn snuggles etc, I haven't been keen to get there any quicker because I know it also comes with the pain and soreness of post labour, and the absolute exhaustion that comes with a newborn afterwards. (Sorry, not trying to scare you or takeaway from the excitement!)
Not to mention the caring for my older dd and the school run, clubs etc while managing a tiny baby too!
When it's your first you get to enjoy the newborn bubble without whittling about giving the older one enough attention and care still.

Fortunately my dd has always wanted a sibling and is old enough to understand we won't be able to be as responsive to her every wish and command, though what that's all like when it actually happens remains to be seen.

Not much longer now though!

Fingers crossed it all happens naturally soon for you @colourPink .

@Cakeorchocolate I can only imagine all the juggling with two of them! I'm sure she's so excited to be a big sister and it'll be lovely when they're older together.

I am trying to stay positive but I am NOT feeling it. Feeling so incredibly fed up. Can't believe he's an October baby! There's something about it being in a different month that makes this feel more mentally challenging.

Also, I can't get over my worry that he'll be a massive baby. I don't know where this fear is coming from! I want to have a "newborn" and a tiny bubba - not a big baby that skips newborn clothes. Btw, I KNOW how ridiculous that is but it's something I can't shift. As long as he's healthy that's what's important! Not even sure where I've got this from but it's sticking in my mind.

I understand. I've been measuring 2 weeks ahead for quite some time so a little anxious about size here too. Especially going 2 weeks over - not yet, but I've mostly been mentally prepared to after dd was. So I've always kind of expected him to be an October baby. Although I was hoping he'd surprise me to avoid another induction. He's still got a little time to. Not much though.

Even if he's a little bigger than average I'm sure he'll still fit newborn things and all babies are tiny really so I'm sure you won't feel like he's huge either way.

@Cakeorchocolate @colourPink @apples24 thank you! It feels so surreal. Can’t believe I’m a mum of 2 now.

hang in there @colourPink it really is a matter of days now and when you think of how far you’ve come you can do the final stretch!
@Cakeorchocolate you sound so calm and accepting of the slight delay I really hope you aren’t waiting too long either.

just wanted to say thanks to all the ladies on this thread who have helped me stay sane in these last few weeks.

How's everyone doing? I'm still pregnant here! 😂

😅 just came on to whine that this kid is never coming!

Despite having expected to go the distance (i.e. 42 weeks), I'm still finding myself disappointed that I'm right.
It didn't seem to bother me as much last time.
Maybe it's all of the family and friends constantly enquiring / commenting on it but I am a little fed up now.

The wriggling is comforting to know he's still OK, but it hurts too. 😢

@Cakeorchocolate its such a weird time pregnancy! It lasts forever at the end so I completely understand how you’re feeling.
I can’t believe my daughter is now 2 days old when last week each day lasted a year. Do you have an induction booked for a particular date?

@colourPink hang in there it will hopefully be soon for you both.

@Cakeorchocolate I can relate soooo much!! We're in an entire new month and I'm STILL pregnant 😂

Fingers crossed for us both soon! 🤞🏼🤞🏼

@Pinklilly Induction should be tomorrow for the hospital Trust I'm at which is 41+5 days for me. However I've declined for now, willing him to just need a few more days. I have a midwife appointment tomorrow and will have a sweep. I haven't bothered having one yet as last time around they didn't help.

I have a scan booked in a couple more days to check the placenta blood flow and then make a plan. Which will almost certainly be me giving into the seemingly inevitable induction. But needs must.

@colourPink I know what you mean.
I don't know why they bother giving a specific due date, that should have been done away with long ago. Would be better mentally I think if they gave a due window. Since such a small percentage of babies come on the "due date".

How are you recovering @Pinklilly ?

I hope you, and everyone else that's already been through the labour / delivery, by whatever method, are all recovering well and coping with the sleeplessness.

@Cakeorchocolate you sound like you’ve made some really hard choices to give baby all the chances to come through spontaneous labour. I really hope that’s soon for you.
thank you for asking about my recovery, I’m doing well although today I think I feel sore and my breasts are in engorgement. The feeding has been relentless which is of course normal but you forget! Overall though I feel better than pregnancy because I had hyperemesis until the end I was always vomiting and fed up, it feels nice to be out of that!

@Cakeorchocolate hoping your sweep goes well! They offered me sweep number four yesterday but I declined. I've tried it three times and can't do it again!

I'm hoping I'll be induced tomorrow but they have a 48 hour window to let me in. It's not what I wanted but I want this baby out of me more. I've heard such horror stories about induction that I am nervous!

@Pinklilly glad you're recovering well! I can't wait for the newborn bubble so feeling very jealous of you!

@colourPink @Cakeorchocolate I am still hanging in too at 41+3! Have my midwife appointment tomorrow and guessing I’ll be booked in for induction Thurs or Fri. Already had a sweep last week and honestly have tried absolutely every natural induction technique I’ve ever heard of!!

I feel like I’m living Groundhog Day every time I wake up and then look at my phone to the inevitable “any news” messages!